Artisan in Social Work and Community Development
The Artisan in Social Work and Community Development is a TVET-CDACC examined programme that introduces trainees to the fundamentals of social work practice, community development, and social support services. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and assessed through the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC).
Trainees develop competencies in community mobilisation, basic counselling, social support services, project support, and community needs assessment. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with practical field experience through community attachments.
Kenya's social development sector employs support personnel to assist social workers and community development officers in delivering services to vulnerable populations. The programme aligns with the government's social protection agenda and the work of NGOs in community development.
The course is delivered through classroom instruction and community-based practice. Trainees participate in field visits, community assessments, and attachments at social development organisations to gain practical experience.
Graduates can work as social work assistants, community development support staff, or project assistants in NGOs, community-based organisations, and government departments. The programme provides a foundation for progression to Certificate in Social Work and Community Development.
This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of D (plain) or D- (minus) who are passionate about helping communities and supporting vulnerable populations. It serves as an entry point into the social development profession.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 150,000
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 35 students
- Award
- Artisan Certificate
What you study
8 subjects- Social Work Basics
- Community Development
- Basic Counselling
- Community Mobilisation
- Social Support Services
- Project Support
- Communication Skills
- Community Needs Assessment
Modules
8 in the programmeIntroduction to Social Work
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces the principles and values of social work, the role of social workers, and the Kenyan social welfare system.
Community Development Basics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers community development concepts, participatory approaches, and the role of communities in their own development.
Basic Counselling Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops foundational counselling skills including active listening, empathy, and basic helping techniques for support roles.
Community Mobilisation
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Trainees learn techniques for mobilising communities around development initiatives and social action.
Social Support Services
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers identification of vulnerable populations, basic needs assessment, and referral to social services.
Community Needs Assessment
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Introduces basic methods for assessing community needs including observation, interviews, and community mapping.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Develops interpersonal communication skills for working with individuals, groups, and communities.
Project Support
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Introduces basic project support skills including activity planning, record keeping, and reporting for community projects.
Specialisations
Child Support
Focuses on supporting child welfare programmes and child protection activities.
Elderly Care Support
Supports services for elderly persons in communities and care facilities.
Community Project Support
Assists in planning and implementing community development projects.
Vulnerable Groups Support
Works with vulnerable populations including persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.
A day as a student
A typical day includes morning theory on social work principles or community development concepts, followed by afternoon field visits where trainees practise community mobilisation, needs assessment, and basic counselling under supervision.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Social development is a growing sector with NGO and government employment opportunities.
- Short training duration enables quick entry into community work.
- Work has meaningful social impact through helping vulnerable populations.
Against it
- Social work can be emotionally demanding when dealing with vulnerable populations.
- Entry-level positions may offer modest remuneration.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 241 social sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
Public TVET 67,189/yr (kamukunjitvc.ac.ke). Private: KIBCo 14.8K, WICHS 150K/yr.
HELB TVET loans and county bursaries are available for eligible students in CDACC-accredited programmes.
Funding options
HELB TVET Loan
County Bursary
NGAAF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions
County Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- D-
- Alternative entry
- KCPE certificate or equivalent. Interest in community work and social development.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCDACC Practical Assessment
Practical assessment60% of the mark
Competency-based practical assessment of social work and community development skills.
CDACC Theory Assessment
Written assessment30% of the mark
Written assessment of social work theory and knowledge.
Field Attachment Assessment
Practicum10% of the mark
Assessment of performance during community field attachment.
Accreditation
Assessed and certified by TVET-CDACC under the CBET framework. Institutions accredited by TVETA.
Accredited by
Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
AcademicRequired
TVET-CDACC assesses and certifies competencies under the CBET framework for social work.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
AcademicRequired
TVETA accredits institutions offering social work programmes.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSocial Work Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 35,000
Assists social workers in delivering services to vulnerable individuals and families.
Community Development Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 35,000
Supports community development officers in implementing projects and programmes.
NGO Project Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 40,000
Provides support to NGO community development projects including field work and reporting.
Community Outreach Worker
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 35,000
Conducts community outreach activities for social development organisations.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as social work assistants and community development support staff in NGOs and government departments.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Geographer (Human & Physical)Social Sciences18Low exposure
- Climatologist / MeteorologistSocial Sciences19Low exposure
- Restorative Justice PractitionerSocial Sciences21Low exposure
- Human Rights AnalystSocial Sciences26Low exposure
- Industrial-Organizational PsychologistSocial Sciences26Low exposure
- Diplomat / Foreign Service OfficerSocial Sciences27Low exposure
- Public Administration & Civil ServiceSocial Sciences27Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Social work is just about giving handouts.
Social work involves professional assessment, counselling, empowerment, and community capacity building.
Artisan-level social work has no career prospects.
Graduates can progress to certificate and diploma levels, with opportunities in NGOs, government, and international organisations.
Social work is only for women.
Social work is a profession for all genders, with many male social workers making significant contributions.
Community development is volunteer work with no pay.
Many organisations employ paid support staff for community development projects and social services.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Artisan in Social Work and Community Development are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.